Expected maintenance at 200k miles

[arrrxivvv]

The cam seal leak and the VVT are probably unrelated. You can use a pick and pull part for the VVT instead of new.

Thank you, good point. If needed I can look for a low mileage one.

Clog up your intake with paper towels and idle it for 15 minutes without oil pressure….

This sounds like fun. This happened for real?

The stem seals give you warning. That puff of smoke on startup is the telltale of oil leaking down. Eventually it will burn a valve so once you see that, it’s time. I’ve got two 250k smokers, one of them got the valve job last year, the other slated for this fall

Thank you, that's good to know. I suppose a proper valve job requires removing the head, probably $1500 to $2000 at a shop? Definitely beyond my skill level.

Also good to know that the bottom end of the engine is solid.

[abscate]

You can do valve stem seals with the head in place for about 5 hours Labour (guess) plus $100 in parts. Only use the Volvo set for these , no aftermarket

[cn90]

Or keep the 190K car for grocery lol...

Then buy a low mileage car, be patient, you will find it.

The VVT Hub, mostly on the Exhaust side, is currently on sale for $215. Google Volvo Ft Washington in PA. Enter "FREESHIP" during checkout and you get free shipping...

[arrrxivvv]

Thanks for all the input.

By the way do you do pre purchase inspection when buying? It's recommended all the time, but seems pretty difficult to coordinate with the seller. Those low mileage cars are typically gone very quickly.

[BlackBart]

I always have - find a local dealer or good independent to look it over. But sometimes the car is too old and of course there are big things wrong with it, too new and pristine so why bother, or too unique and in high demand so you'll lose it if you dawdle with a PPI.

[jonesg]

you're paying interest on borrowed troubles, just drive it.

[abscate]

Thanks for all the input.

By the way do you do pre purchase inspection when buying? It's recommended all the time, but seems pretty difficult to coordinate with the seller. Those low mileage cars are typically gone very quickly.

In this current market a good used model will have a line of buyers, unfortunately. I am so glad I did these project cars over the last two years. All the ladies are in Stage 0 Volvos except Caitlin, who drives/walks 1 mile to work.

[arrrxivvv]

Thanks for all the input.

By the way do you do pre purchase inspection when buying? It's recommended all the time, but seems pretty difficult to coordinate with the seller. Those low mileage cars are typically gone very quickly.

In this current market a good used model will have a line of buyers, unfortunately. I am so glad I did these project cars over the last two years. All the ladies are in Stage 0 Volvos except Caitlin, who drives/walks 1 mile to work.

Yeah, so true, good cars are snatched quickly, probably a lot of times by flippers too.

A few days ago saw a 100k miles xc70 for $3500, sold next day.
https://offerup.com/item/detail/1408031 ... y+&cid=5.1

Then the same car is put up for sale for $8500, pretty much immediately,
https://offerup.com/item/detail/1408974788?cid=5.1

[abscate]

Here is how I plugged up my brand new valve job engine last winter

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=98897&p=588663#p588663

[wch2032]

Abscate has convinced me to keep my vehicle running till 300K. I brought the car out here to CA from MA at 220K and since then it's been a lot of highway miles to the mountains and parks. For me the car is a bit of a money pit but really comparing the interior quality and comforts to newer cars it's hard to be bothered to either 1) shop for a used car in nice condition or 2) deal new car payments.